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11-Day India Holi Festival Tour 2025

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Holi Festival Experience

It couldn't be better if the schedule of your first visit to India matches the dates of the Holi festival (25 March 2024). March is a great time for an India tour because of its dry weather and comfortable temperatures. The celebration of Holi will definitely enrich your experience of this incredible country.

This 11-day India tour combines must-do festival celebration experiences with the must-sees for first-timers. You will explore the golden triangle (Delhi, Agra, Jaipur) and experience the interesting and authentic Holi stick "beatings" and colorful powder "fights" with local people in Varanasi. It is also possible to customize an itinerary according to your preference.

  • Days:11±
  • Best For:First-timers
  • Departure date: up to you
  • Sample price:US$2,329 each (2 per room)*
  • Flights:The ones mentioned are included (international on request)
  • Cancellations:100% refunded! (till 22 days before)

*The cost for a customized private India tour from US$180/person/day

Suggested Route for an India Holi Festival Tour

india holi tour map

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Tour Highlights

Here are the awesome attractions, the most must-do activities selected by Asia Highlights (AH Hand-Picked), and exclusive cultural experiences offered by Asia Highlights (Only With AH) included in this tour:

"Fight" with colorful herbal powder to experience the unique culture of Holi and India.

Holi Festival

Witness how women "beat" men with sticks (playfully) to celebrate Holi.

women beat men with sticks
the tag of ah hand picked

Enjoy a Holika Dahan (a Holi Bonfire) with locals .

a holi bonfire
the tag of ah hand picked

Have a picture in front of the Taj Mahal in Indian traditional dress.

Taj Mahal

Witness the incredible Ganga Aarti ceremony in the holy city of Varanasi.

Ganga Aarti ceremony

Catch a bird's-eye view of the "pink city" from less-touristy Nahargarh Fort

the city view at sunset
the tag of ah hand picked

Find your favorite door in the splendid City Palace.

the door in the city palace

Fall into a magical dream when looking at the thousands of mirrors at Amber Fort.

the Sheesh Mahal

Suggested Itinerary for Inspiration

Your preferences design the real journey. We're ready to create a wonderful India tour for you.

Day 1
(5 Mar. 2025) Arrive in Delhi

Meet our representative at the airport. He will escort you from the airport to your hotel in town.

Day 2
(6 Mar.)Delhi to Vrindavan | Delhi City Tour
  • Visit Jama Masjid, India's largest and grandest mosque. Appreciate the beautiful architecture in its huge courtyard and imagine how magnificent the atmosphere is when 20,000 people pray there on Friday.
  • Take a rickshaw to explore the Chandni Chowk. Experience the chaotic and charismatic world of old Delhi.
  • Pay your respects to the great man of India — Gandhi at the Raj Ghat.
  • Drive to Vrindavan in the afternoon.
 The Jama Masjid
The Jama Masjid
Day 3
(7 Mar.)Vrindavan | Experience Lathmar Holi Celebration
  • Visit Nandgoan Village in the morning to see the unique Lathmar Holi (celebrating Holi by beating with sticks). On this day, men from Barsana Village go to Nandgoan, and the ladies of Nandgaon Village beat them with sticks. This is a tradition that has been going on for over a century as part of Holi celebrations.
  • Your guide might find a place on the roof of a local house from which you could see the festivities taking place on the streets below
  • Visit the temples or venture out in the villages to experience rural life in the afternoon
people celebrate the Holi
Experience Lathmar Holi in Nandgaon
Day 4
(8 Mar.)Vrindavan to Agra | Taj Mahal
  • Drive from Vrindavan to Agra in the morning.
  • Visit the Taj Mahal in the afternoon. Listen to the love story about this great building. And appreciate the elaborate designs and exquisite craftsmanship. Taking photos in traditional Indian attire in front of this world wonder would add a greater sense of culture to this memorable visit.
a lady at Taj Mahal
Taking photos in Indian attire at Taj Mahal
Day 5
(9 Mar.) Agra | Heritage of the Imperial Mughal Court
  • Visit Agra Fort, with imposing red sandstone ramparts that contain an enormous complex of courtly buildings. Discover the splendid history of the Mughal Empire.
  • In the afternoon, visit Itimad-ud-Daulah's Tomb, which is a small-yet-elegant garden-tomb that is often called the 'Baby Taj'.
  • Enjoy an afternoon tea in a café with a roof view of the Taj Mahal.
 the beautifual Amber Fort
The Agra Fort
Day 6
(10 Mar.)Agra to Jaipur | Fatehpur Sikri

Drive from Agra to Jaipur. Visit Fatehpur Sikri on the way, and listen to stories about the famous Mughal Emperor Akbar at this UNESCO World Heritage Site.

 the Fatehpur Sikri
Unlock the stories of Akbar in Fatehpur Sikri
Day 7
(11 Mar.)Jaipur | The Charming Pink City
  • Start your tour with Amber Fort on a hilltop. Appreciate its ornately-carved silver doors, elegant alabaster relief work, and glass inlay. Admire the Sheesh Mahal and its gardens.
  • Explore the central area of the 'pink city' of Jaipur. Stop at lovely Hawa Mahal ('Winds Palace'), which is a great place for photos. The arch-shaped windows and colorful glass make people think of a fairytale castle.
  • Visit nearby Jantar Mantar Observatory. Marvel at the wisdom of medieval Indian astronomy
  • And then head to the City Palace, where you will have a splendid introduction to Jaipur's princely past and its rich history through local art.
  • Lastly, enjoy a sunset view of the city from Nahargarh Fort.
The pink Hawa Mahal
The pink Hawa Mahal
Day 8
(12 Mar.)Jaipur to Delhi | Driving Tour

Drive back to Delhi in the morning. After arriving, have a driving tour taking in more must-sees — India Gate, the Red Fort, Rashtrapati Bhavan, and the Parliament House.

the India Gate
Drive pass the India Gate
Day 9
(13 Mar.)Delhi to Varanasi | The Eve of Holi
  • Fly from Delhi to Varanasi in the morning.
  • Visit Sarnath in the afternoon. To Buddhists, Sarnath is as sacred as Varanasi is to Hindus. Explore a superb collection of Buddhist artifacts in the Archaeological Museum.
  • Enjoy Holika Dahan (a Holi Bonfire) in the evening with local people.
Holika Dahan
Enjoy Holika Dahan with locals
Day 10
(14 Mar.)Varanasi | Holi Celebration
  • Take a boat ride at sunrise, when the temples along the river are bathed in soft morning light. See local people going about their daily activities, washing clothes, performing yoga, and giving offerings of flowers.
  • Visit a local house to throw Holi colors with the family and locals around. Local costumes and herbal colors for an authentic Holi experience will be provided. You may also try your hand at preparing some local sweets that are part of the Holi celebrations.
  • Explore Varanasi Old City and visit the Gold Temple in the afternoon.
  • In the late afternoon, take a boat ride on the Ganges to witness pilgrims performing ancient rituals. When the sun sets, experience the highly choreographed Ganga Aarti ceremony.
enjoy holi celebration
Throw Holi colors with locals
Day 11
(15 Mar.): Varanasi Departure

A private transfer to Varanasi airport for your departure will be provided.

Ideas for Making This Trip Uniquely Yours

Special experiences can be added to brighten a honeymoon trip, a family vacation, a birthday, or satisfy personal interests.

A Romantic Dinner in Amber Fort
A Romantic Dinner in Amber Fort

For couples

the Indian spices
Cooking Class in Jaipur

For foodies

painting on hand
Heena Painting on Hands and Feet

For culture fans

Hand-Picked Hotels

We select hotels with style and local features. Let us know your preferences and we'll find your ideal hotel.

the courtyard of hotel
Heritage hotel in old Delhi
Hotel with the river view
Hotel with the river view
heritage hotel in Jaipur
Heritage hotel in Jaipur
Hotel with the veiw of Taj Mahal
Hotel with a view of Taj Mahal

Our Service Includes:

11 days from
US$2,329 per person (based on 2 persons and 4-star hotels)
  • Private transfers and English-speaking tour guide
  • All guided sightseeing as detailed in the itinerary
  • 4-star accommodations for 10 nights
  • Meals mentioned in the itinerary
  • Flights mentioned in the itinerary
  • Governmental taxes

Tour code: ah-in-89

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